What condition must be met for a solution to be considered supersaturated?

What condition must be met for a solution to be considered supersaturated?

• A. More solute must be added
• B. It must remain stable
• C. It must contain less solvent
• D. It cannot contain any crystals at all

Answer: (A)

A solution is considered supersaturated when it contains more solute than it can normally dissolve at a given temperature and pressure. This is achieved by first dissolving the solute in a saturated solution at a higher temperature, then gradually cooling it down without allowing the solute to precipitate out. For a solution to reach this state, additional solute must be added carefully while maintaining conditions that keep the solute in solution. Therefore, the requirement that more solute must be added aligns with the definition of supersaturation, as the solution is in an unstable state due to the excess solute compared to its solubility limit at the lower temperature. The stability of the supersaturated solution is crucial, as any disturbance (like introducing a seed crystal or agitation) can cause the solute to precipitate out, which underscores why maintaining a delicate balance in solute concentration is essential for the existence of supersaturation.

A solution is considered supersaturated when it contains more solute than it can normally dissolve at a given temperature and pressure. This is achieved by first dissolving the solute in a saturated solution at a higher temperature, then gradually cooling it down without allowing the solute to precipitate out.

For a solution to reach this state, additional solute must be added carefully while maintaining conditions that keep the solute in solution. Therefore, the requirement that more solute must be added aligns with the definition of supersaturation, as the solution is in an unstable state due to the excess solute compared to its solubility limit at the lower temperature.

The stability of the supersaturated solution is crucial, as any disturbance (like introducing a seed crystal or agitation) can cause the solute to precipitate out, which underscores why maintaining a delicate balance in solute concentration is essential for the existence of supersaturation.